Can I Perform ‘Umra Instead of Saving for Hajj Due to Rising Costs?

Answered by Shaykh Dr. Muhammad Abu Bakr Badhib

Question

With the rising cost of Hajj, can I perform ‘Umra instead, or should I save my money for Hajj even though it might take many years and I may never be able to afford it?

Answer

In the name of Allah, and all praise is due to Allah, and blessings and peace be upon our master Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah, his Family, his Companions, and those who follow him.

The Obligation of Hajj

Hajj is the fifth pillar of Islam, but it is conditional upon one’s ability. Allah (Most High) says:

“Pilgrimage to this House is an obligation by Allah upon whoever is able among the people.” [Quran, 3:97]

Hajj and ‘Umra are only obligatory upon a Muslim once in a lifetime, as evidenced by the hadith of Aqra‘ ibn Habis, who asked the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace), “O Messenger of Allah, is it every year?” He (Allah bless him and give him peace) replied, “No, and if I had said yes, it would have become obligatory.” [Tirmidhi]

The condition of ability (istita‘a) required for Hajj was explained by the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) when he said:

“Provision and a means of transport.” [Hakim]

Scholars have elaborated on the conditions of ability extensively, explaining that it includes physical and financial ability. Financial ability entails having wealth beyond personal and dependent needs, being debt-free, and other conditions. Some jurists enumerate up to eleven conditions for fulfilling this obligation. [Ba ‘Ishn, Bushra al-Karim]

Permissibility of Performing ‘Umra Before Hajj

If one does not possess the financial means to perform the obligatory Hajj and saving for it would take a long time, there is no harm in performing ‘Umra if it is within their means. By doing so, they would have visited the Sacred House of Allah. However, this ‘Umra does not substitute for the obligatory Hajj, as there is a consensus that ‘Umra does not fulfill the obligation of Hajj. [Tarmasi, Hashiyat al-Tarmasi]

After performing ‘Umra, one should continue to save for the obligatory Hajj. This approach ensures that one fulfills their financial and personal capacity while honoring the intention to complete the pillars of Islam.

We ask Allah (Most High) to guide us in fulfilling our duties and performing them in a manner that pleases Him. Allah is the One who grants success and guides to the straight path.

[Shaykh] Dr. Muhammad Abu Bakr Badhib

Shaykh Dr. Muhammad Abu Bakr Badhib is a prominent Islamic scholar from Yemen. He was born in Shibam, Hadhramaut, in 1976. He received his degree in Shari‘a from Al-Ahqaf University, a master’s degree from the Islamic University of Beirut, and a PhD in Usul al-Din from Aligarh Muslim University (AMU).

He studied under great scholars such as Shaykh al-Habib Ahmad Mashhur al-Haddad, Shaykh Fadl Ba‘ fadl, Habib Salim al-Shatiri, Habib Ali Mashhur bin Hafeez, and others. He has served as the Director of Publications at Dar al-Fiqh, the former Deputy Director of Cultural Relations at Al-Ahqaf University, a former Assistant for Employee Affairs at Atiyah Iron Company, a researcher at the Sunna Center affiliated with the Dallah al-Baraka Foundation, and a researcher at Al-Furqan Foundation’s Makka al-Mukarrama and Madina al-Munawwara Encyclopedia branch.

Currently, he is a researcher at Al-Furqan Foundation’s Makka al-Mukarrama and Madina al-Munawwara Encyclopedia branch, teaches traditionally through the Ijaza system at Dar al-Fuqaha in Turkey, supervises the Arabic department at Nur al-Huda International Institute (SeekersGuidance), and is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Manuscript House in Istanbul.

His works include “The Efforts of Hadhramaut Jurists in Serving the Shafi‘i School,” “Contributions of Hadhramaut Scholars in Spreading Islam and its Sciences in India,” “Hada’iq al-Na‘im in Shafi‘i Fiqh,” in addition to verifying several books in Fiqh, history, the art of biographies, and Asanid (chains of narration).